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Youngsters showcase their chickens at Fair's final day

Young exhibitors compete in the costume contest during the Poultry Show on the last day of the Volusia County Fair.

Photo by Kathleen Rasche

KATHLEEN RASCHECORRESPONDENT

Published: Thursday, November 15, 2012 at 5:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 4:49 p.m.

DELAND - The Volusia County Fair and Youth Show wrapped up on Sunday with an entire day dedicated to poultry. Youngsters got to the fair at the crack of dawn to water and feed their birds and to set up for the judging of an entire year's worth of work.

The poultry judging started at 11 a.m. with showmanship. Young exhibitors brought their prized birds into the arena and faced a judge one on one. The judge asked questions about how they raised their bird, what they fed it, how it was housed. The judges marked the exhibitor's answers on a score sheet. As each youngster left the ring, they headed to a written exam area, picked up their test and sat quietly filling in answers to questions about poultry standards. If you thought raising a chicken for the fair was about who had the biggest, prettiest bird, think again. Poultry raisers have to know about egg classifications and food standards, too. Despite the pressure to give correct answers, the kids enjoy the process.

Cheyenne Iturralde came in the livestock barn clutching a book on breed standards. She raised rabbits and guinea pigs for the fair in previous years. It's the first time she has raised a chicken.

"I didn't know what a Buff Orpington was before. When the judge asks you questions, you just answer it the best way,"said Iturralde.

Ashley LaVarre petted her Old English Bantum named Abby. "Chickens can be your best friend," said LaVarre. "They're better than rabbits." LaVarre, 11, raised her chicken from a fuzzy chick into a mature bird. Abby sat quietly in LaVarre's hands. All the youngsters know chicken behavior is important in the arena.

This was Bethany Hirt's second year raising poultry. "I know more about how to handle a chicken and their personality," said Hirt. Her Silver Sebright took best in show.

When testing and questions finished, the competition began. Chickens competed in a crowing contest. Owners clapped and flailed their arms trying to get their birds to crow the most times. Then they raced. Chickens, ducks and turkeys ran for the finish line...well, some ran for the finish line, others made a mad dash into the audience, sending adults scrambling to catch them. The day finished up with exhibitors and birds wearing costumes.

Kelly Bumgardner, 13, said showing poultry taught her, "It's all for fun. Even if you don't win, you can be happy for that other person."

<p>DELAND - The Volusia County Fair and Youth Show wrapped up on Sunday with an entire day dedicated to poultry. Youngsters got to the fair at the crack of dawn to water and feed their birds and to set up for the judging of an entire year's worth of work. </p><p>The poultry judging started at 11 a.m. with showmanship. Young exhibitors brought their prized birds into the arena and faced a judge one on one. The judge asked questions about how they raised their bird, what they fed it, how it was housed. The judges marked the exhibitor's answers on a score sheet. As each youngster left the ring, they headed to a written exam area, picked up their test and sat quietly filling in answers to questions about poultry standards. If you thought raising a chicken for the fair was about who had the biggest, prettiest bird, think again. Poultry raisers have to know about egg classifications and food standards, too. Despite the pressure to give correct answers, the kids enjoy the process. </p><p>Cheyenne Iturralde came in the livestock barn clutching a book on breed standards. She raised rabbits and guinea pigs for the fair in previous years. It's the first time she has raised a chicken. </p><p>"I didn't know what a Buff Orpington was before. When the judge asks you questions, you just answer it the best way,"said Iturralde. </p><p>Ashley LaVarre petted her Old English Bantum named Abby. "Chickens can be your best friend," said LaVarre. "They're better than rabbits." LaVarre, 11, raised her chicken from a fuzzy chick into a mature bird. Abby sat quietly in LaVarre's hands. All the youngsters know chicken behavior is important in the arena. </p><p>This was Bethany Hirt's second year raising poultry. "I know more about how to handle a chicken and their personality," said Hirt. Her Silver Sebright took best in show. </p><p>When testing and questions finished, the competition began. Chickens competed in a crowing contest. Owners clapped and flailed their arms trying to get their birds to crow the most times. Then they raced. Chickens, ducks and turkeys ran for the finish line...well, some ran for the finish line, others made a mad dash into the audience, sending adults scrambling to catch them. The day finished up with exhibitors and birds wearing costumes. </p><p>Kelly Bumgardner, 13, said showing poultry taught her, "It's all for fun. Even if you don't win, you can be happy for that other person."</p>